How do I remove the top cap off the suspension? Have been trying to undo that single bolt all day and can't get it to come off. It's the cap which holds the spring to the shock. It's held on with one bolt which is almost impossible to remove... How did you guys do it? Cheers Rob.
Use a set of spring compressors, to compress the springs, so that you can remove the hat without it shooting off into the sunset. You need to hold the rod whilst unlocking the nut. Do not use multigips on the rod as you will score it, there should be a machined flat surface at the top above the nut where you can lock the rod from rotating and loosen the nut. Remove the nut, hat and the bump stop.
Trying that... Yup, been trying that all arvo...it's like the bolt is welded on...it wont budge... Rob.
It shouldn't be that tight! You'd be able to see if it was welded. Try spraying some INOX (or WD40) on the nut and let it soak. Have you tried putting a big adjustable shifter on the flat part at the top of the strut... then using an open spanner on the nut, really put some muscle into it? Come on Rob, you can do it
You might need to hold the strut in a vice to have any chance. As you say after 17 years the nut is vitually welded to the rod. And don't try this without spring compressors . You may need to ask your local suspension shop to break the 'weld'. They must have to deal with this all the time.
Virgin Tight... Oh it's bloody tight alright... Me and my mate have been trying everything to get it loose. We tried almost every method and tool we have and the damn thing won't budge. The passengers side is no better either... We tried Vice Grips, a shifter, two spanners, magic, dynamite, hypnosis...you name it...that sucker won't move... And to top it off there are other things that won't budge on this car...other bolts, bleed screws...even the brake disc wont slide off like it's supposed to... It's been an interesting weekend so far... Tomorrow we will continue bright and early... But I'm out of idea's on the shocks...it's so frustrating...we've sprayed everything with Inox as well...but the bolts seem to laugh at our attempts... Cheers Rob.
What are you changing ? Shocks ? - grind the nut off (use spring compressors please or there will be metal parts flying around.) Springs - lowering ? You might consider changing the shocks too. Grind the nut off (and most likely ruin the top of the shock) You could of course try to heat the nut with a torch to break the bond. If the nut is that stuck, the shock is most likely very old and shot anyways. edit Saw your other thread. Aren't you changing both shocks and springs. You really only need the disc holding the spring into place. Do you have a rubber gaiter and bump stops? Just cut the old stuff with a grinder (compress springs first)
Changing both. I have new shocks and springs so the old set will be thrown away. All I need though is the top part from the old set which bolts to the car and keeps the spring in place. This is what that single bolt is keeping me from getting. It's sunk too low to grind it off...I might damage the piece I need. I have the springs in spring compressors right now...don't worry... We've done it before on other cars and never had this problem. It's really stuck on!! Rob.
if ur putting ur new shocks on new springs then it shouldnt be that tight at all man, oh and dont throw your stocks out, if you dont want them i shotgun them! but dont grinde them off. worst case you can take them to a suspension shop and they'll charge a small fee and swap them for ya
Have you tried using a impact wrench/rattle gun??????? I had the same problem when I did mine. Like most, I gave up and took them to the suspension shop, and all he did was, held the stem with his fingers, and rattled them off in seconds. Dam I felt like an idiot,
if you are reeeaaallllyyyy cheap, ive got a rattle gun lol and if u give me your stocks ill let you take the dune buggy they are going on for a spin when its done
